Posted by CN Staff on January 10, 2013 at 20:14:55 PTBy Valerie Richardson, The Washington Times
Source: Washington Times

Denver -- Not all Coloradans appreciated former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy harshing their buzz Wednesday with his anti-marijuana effort. Mr. Kennedy received a mixed reception at the unveiling of Project Safe Alternatives to Marijuana, known as Project SAM, which seeks to spread information about the medical and public-health drawbacks of legalizing marijuana.

“Project SAM was created because we were concerned about the mad rush to legalization in this country and the false dichotomy presented as policy,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Incarceration or legalization. Lock ‘em up or let ‘em use. This is not where we want this debate to devolve to. … We need a more enlightened, thorough and thoughtful discussion and policy debate.”

Immediately beforehand, Mason Tvert, Colorado’s best-known legalization advocate, held a news conference outside the Denver Press Club where he accused Mr. Kennedy of hypocrisy for lecturing the public on marijuana even though the Kennedy empire was built on liquor.

“Why is it that someone who is an heir to an alcohol fortune would want to keep an alternative to alcohol that’s less harmful illegal?” said Mr. Tvert, who ran the successful Amendment 64 campaign. “This is an effort to keep marijuana illegal when the public is overwhelmingly stating to recognize that it doesn’t work.”

He displayed a sign that purported to show the distinctions between “Marijuana Sold by Stores” and “Alcohol Sold by Patrick Kennedy’s Grandfather.”

Mr. Kennedy, who spoke frankly about his struggles with substance abuse during the press event, said the criticism “illustrates how much this debate has devolved.”

“Somehow this is now trying to become a personalized assault on me as a figurehead in this, when I readily said at the beginning I want you to listen to the public-health folks,” said Mr. Kennedy, who shared the stage with two Colorado doctors and a public-health advocate.

Mr. Kennedy’s message appeared to come about three months too late, given that Colorado and Washington voters approved ballot measures in November legalizing limited recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and over.

He explained that the election came as a wake-up call for him and others concerned about the lingering health effects and addictive properties of marijuana, especially among adolescents.

“Like everyone else, I woke up after Election Day and saw that this was moving so fast in states like Washington and Colorado, and it looked as though the domino effect is that it could move even quicker to other states, my own Rhode Island among those,” Mr. Kennedy said.

The effort is bipartisan: In addition to the Democrat Kennedy, Project SAM is led by David Frum, a Republican commentator and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush

Kevin Sabet, former drug-policy adviser to the Oba ma and Bush administrations, said the Colorado and Washington measures passed in part because they had better funding a nd organization, as well as weak opposition.

At the same time, Mr. Sabet said there were no plans to over turn the two state measures. He noted that a repeal may not be necessary, given that the amendments conflict with federal drug law and that Justice Department has yet to announce whether it will allow the states to proceed with legalized marijuana use.

“I understand we’re in Colorado, but we do have a federal law,” Mr. Sabet said. “And so that is going to have to be discussed in terms of federal versus state, so we don’t know what the outcome is of that yet.”

Still, Mr. Kennedy may be running afoul of another prominent Democrat: President Obama, who said in a post-election television interview that the federal government has “bigger fish to fry” than prosecuting Coloradans for marijuana possession.

That’s where Project SAM comes in, Mr. Kennedy said. The president “needs to hear from us. He knows that you can’t lead without people behind you.”

“If he doesn’t see strong support out there for his position, it’s hard for us to expect him to carry our water, so to speak,” Mr. Kennedy said.

In the meantime, Project SAM’s state affiliate is planning to weigh in on the Colorado task force charged with devising a regulatory and legal framework for implementation of Amendment 64. Dr. Chris Thurstone, a member of the state marijuana task force, is also participating in Project SAM.

Mr. Tvert said such involvement wasn’t appropriate. “They’re trying to inject themselves into regulatory decisions being made here in Colorado,” he said.

Mr. Kennedy disagreed.

“What I want is to slow this train down and kind of begin a discussion before other states rush to judgment, which is what I think happened here,” he said.

I know how it can be with tower trouble. Maybe someday they will make it more efficient and hopefully get us 4G instead of 3G. Verizon was suppose to have 4G available by December but so far nothing. We pay more and have a 10GB cap and still can't watch a Youtube video without buffering.

Some very good news. Stick went to see his VA doctor for his check-up and it was the best check-up he has ever had. The doctor said she never heard his lungs sound so good. He told her about the e-cigs and she seemed like she thought it was a benefit.

I wanted to let you know that the Blu e-cig is better then I thought it would be. I am still using the original canister that costs $2.00. I recharge the battery once a day by plugging it into my computer. It takes about 20 minutes to fully charge. I am still smoking half the cigarettes I did. It has a large amount of vapor too.

Thank you. I am still on track to half it today. I am still running on the same battery and using the first canister. They cost $2.00 a canister so that is good. I won't know what to do with the money I will save but I'll figure something out. LOL! A friend was visiting today and she was going home to order a Blu eCig.

Indeed. It can be quite strong. That "smoke" is amazing, too. It looks and seems so much like smoke. As smokers we do like to enjoy the "smoke" itself. The vapor is an amazing substitute for that. We enjoy the deep breathing and the little fires, too. I didn't get one of the ones that looks like it has a fire but I'm sure that's enjoyable, too.

I am very grateful for the things. They are a wonderful invention.

Once, very soon after I had started vaping, I ran out of some essential part, atomizer, as I recall quit on me and I only had the one and couldn't get any until after the Chinese New Year. They were made in China and the entire supply here was gone and the Chinese celebrate the New Year there by taking a month's vacation!

That was hard. They were back-ordered until after the Chinese New Year celebration was over. It was like the longest two or three weeks until they started production again. I had to go back to smoking for a couple of weeks. I was so glad to get those parts and stocked up on them. Of course now, there are so many shops, people likely don't have that problem anymore.

But that's the way you do it. Cut back daily on the amount until you are doing about five analog cigs a day.... what vapers call real tobacco cigarettes... analog. Lol!

Even with the vaporizer... it's still not fun. But it's a little easier. It can take the edge off and make it a lot easier to be successful. It took me quite a long time, but I haven't bought any in a couple of years now. Lol! I bummed a few. But that, too got rarer and rarer.

just that they arrested them on a DUI suspicion of marijuana intoxication. And that results were pending blood tests... and there were more alcohol arrests but a great jump in DUI for cannabis and they had been building up to it by arresting more medical patients for suspected DUI in recent months or the last year or so. It looks like they were building up to this effort.

Still less of them than the alcohol ones though, it looks like. It did say lawyers were dealing with some of the probable cause as not so good.

We got the e-cig today. It tastes fine but I still want to smoke a cigarette. I know it will take time so what I am doing is counting how many cigarettes we smoke using the e-cig. Cutting down is a first good step.

There is liquid glycerin mostly, I think. Vegetable glycerin and some other kind and there are Kosher liquids. Bits of liquid nicotine of course... which makes it dangerous and poison to eat a big old bunch of... so it must be kept away from children, pets, and maroons. Flavorings, of course. It's sweet (glycerin) and flavored and scented like foods or candies.

(The menthol is good and the eucalyptus might be soothing.)It probably says somewhere exactly what is supposed to be in the different juices or liquids. There are a few ways to do it. Cartridges or dripping and maybe something else now. I really don't know. I suspect a healthy steam/vapor could be created. Maybe something that actually had a healing effect on the lungs.

It was rumored at one time that some liquids were made from glycerin that people had soaked tobacco in and mashed the juice back out. I don't know but some of it tasted like it.

It's a weird thing to do... inhaling e vapors... but it's easier on the bod to inhale a bit of cool steam flavored with sugar, flavoring, and a smidgen of the drug nicotine.

Of course, like many things, it's dangerous if not handled properly. Wash your hands after handling it. Be careful with it.

Someday someone will figure out a way to make a concentrate of cannabis that could be vaporized. It's just a matter of time. I don't know how the e-cigarette juice is made but it could be done similarly ultimately but it must be safe.

Some people have adapted them into dangerous things that can catch fire or blow up... so I'd avoid such as that. When cannabis is legal it will be legal to buy liquids, too, I'm sure and I'm sure, also that better vaporizers will be invented all the time.

Also... as far as the liquids go, I think some people may make and use liquids made from cannabis and they may use those chemically made synthetic THC liquids. They certainly could, because I'm pretty sure some of the liquids are or were actually made from tobacco. But I'm just guessing.

It works on the principle of vaporizing the liquid. I don't know that they've made something that vaporizes solids, like the volcano and stuff. I haven't even used them in a while now and I gave the last of mine away about a month ago, although I hadn't used one in over a year... maybe two.

It is trading one habit for another... but the trade to e-cigs saves a lot of wear and tear and damage on the body and the pocketbook. And I like that the trade to vaping is rather complicated. It helps in overcoming the little complicated activities of smoking.

Just don't carry a lighter around like you are used to. More than once I snapped a lighter to fire on my e-cig and that's not good. But it all helps. Having something in hand. A button to flick. And, what a relief, something to inhale and exhale. And most of all, the desire quenched.

I vaped for a couple of years or more so I had collected quite a few and an assortment of back up parts and various liquids. It was enjoyable. I'm sometimes tempted to vape again... but not enough to do it. I actually want to a little more since I gave the last of them away . That's odd, I know. Just knowing I had them was somehow comforting. But I'm really ok without them, because there are some within a few miles available... at least during the day and I wouldn't have to worry about ordering them... or the Chinese New Year... which caused a shortage from Janty a few years ago.

Thank you. If e-cigs work I will be so happy. It seems that someone should be able to make an e-cigs that people could use cannabis that way too and not cost lots of money like needing to buy a Volcano.

At the time, from reading the forums, I decided on the Janty e-Go. It seemed like the best at the time. I enjoyed it and it worked for me. I ordered my initial kit and supplies online but nearly every little town has vaporizer shops now or at least a kiosk at the mall.

This is the company I bought my Janty e-Go set from and they always seemed to be good to do business with. Janty http://usa.janty.com/ but I bought liquids from other companies, too.

I found I preferred the manual cigarettes over the automatic. It just seemed more satisfying and right somehow to push the button when I puffed on it. But you can experiment. There are lots of fun designs, too. Even pipes.

You keep it handy and learn to take a hit when you want a cig, and you'll want a cig... not the vape, but you do it and it satisfies the desire. It really does. It knocks it out and the nearly overwhelming desire passes. That's the most amazing thing. You think it won't, every time, and it does, every time! It's amazing. It really is.

It's much better than the gum, patches, or lozenges. Much better! It is quite pleasant in fact and even if you don't lay down the nicotine completely, you are not getting the tar and a lot of other bad stuff and it's so much cheaper in the long run than cigs.

My sister and I were talking Sunday about how not too long ago she was spending six dollars a day on cigarettes and now she's spending about six dollars every two or three weeks keeping her e cigs going and loaded with vapor juice.

Of course, there's a bit of initial investment that might run towards the cost of a couple of cartons because you'll have to get them and supplies and they seem expensive at first, but in the long run... they are so much less and they are fun in themselves.

The tobacco flavored juice is good... but I used so much of it that my mouth tasted like tobacco eventually, and I didn't like that so I switched to a candy flavored one. Tasted like red hots and had a nicotine buzz... so I liked it.

I eventually cut back until I quit. It took a long time. But I did it. It was so much better than any other way. And my sister's doing it and she's smoked since she was a kid. And no way would I mess with the drugs the doctors prescribe to help a person quit... but I think they probably aren't really dangerous unless a person drinks so maybe you wouldn't hate doing that. I don't drink... but I was still afraid of the stuff from some things that happened to other people. Like violent rages.

Go for it. I think you'll like it.

Not having to fool with ashes and butts is great all by itself.

The first year or so I still wanted one constantly nearly and gradually it was less and less and I thought the desire would never go away, but it does. I hardly ever think about them anymore... and I didn't believe it was ever going to possible.

The only thing I ever miss anymore, at all, is hanging outside with the smokers.

Thank you. I really try to think things out. I try hard to be quiet and non judgemental. It isn't easy but I must admit the older I get the easier it is becoming.

Since we got so sick with the flu and it really attacked our respiratory system I ordered a Blu E Cigarette. It hasn't arrived yet but it's time to give it a try I think. Vapor has to be better then smoke.

Comment #12 posted by jetblackchemist on January 15, 2013 at 02:10:34 PT

lies lies lies

Project: S.ame A.argument to M.islead...the public again is more like it.

If Kennedy is seeking redemption for his past maybe he should apologize to the people he wronged or join a church not become a member of the dark side.

Lying about kids and saying it is about kids is a red herring, black market POT has never ceased flowing into kids hands under prohibition. I call it POT because someone has sprayed all sorts of chemicals like drain o or windex whatever they can find under the kitchen sink on black market cannabis...to "hype it up".

I would rather my son if he smoked it out of being curious; that it was medical or commercial grade...not some nonsense some black market dealer oregano they decided needed some extra kick, thanks to a black market...Project SAM's lies and using children as an excuse; is a huge slap in the face...we already turned the other cheek in the 70's buddy!

It is time for these false prophet profiteers; to get off the pale horse and admit the truth, and stop with the madness that is making evil people money. Taxed and regulated; that's where it's at.

No one want's to hear a bunch of idiotic rhetoric full of out right lies...because if the black market disappears...you and your cronies can't profit any more.

Why not just tell the truth of what industries are going to take a hit? Instead of this holier than thou it's for the children nonsense? Because it makes me sick to my stomach hearing people vomiting lies out of their mouths such as this "SAM" group.

I quit smoking. But I don't push others about their smoking. I try to get them set up with an e cig if they want to try it. In fact, two or three times over the years I've smoked with those that needed a smoke. They needed a smoke. They needed to cry out. They were bereaved. Deeply.

Except for two. They were habitual or fun and I think twice over two or three years, I've done that.

I miss being outside with smokers so much! I miss smoking outside. I can hang out with them and resist it sometimes. Unless I actually make a decision not to.

But back to the point of what you were saying. You're right about issues he could be having.

Ultimately these SAM people are not going to hurt our efforts at changing drug policy to something more sensible, humane, and civilized.

If this is all sudden and news to Kennedy, he had to be supremely good at being deaf and blind to the things people were talking about . All of the "Sensible Approach" bunch. What arrogance does it require to block out others like that? They are and have been willfully deaf and blind to the truth of the matter FOR DECADES. Their prohibition has been an categorical disaster.

It seems to me that Patrick Kennedy is using this issue of ours to help himself more then thinking this through. It isn't uncommon for an ex drinker to rail against alcohol or an ex cigarette smoker to do the same about cigarettes.
It will not help him fight his own demons but it can create more problems for the people who get caught and put in jail over this herb.

What's this "mad rush"? Did Mr. Kennedy just wake up, shades of Rip Van Winkle, from a 70 year alcohol-induced stupor? Because that is roughly how long cannabis prohibition has been in effect.

Given the current state of political paralysis we see in our so-called 'democracy', it may seem like getting something accomplished in seventy years is a "mad rush", particularly for a lifelong politician like Kennedy. The rest of us, however, don't get a paycheck if we don't accomplish anything.

The political class is rewarded whether they show up or not, whether they move at a snail's pace or not at all. So yes, reclaiming our stolen rights, even though it took seventy years, must seem like a "mad rush" to the likes of a Kennedy, a Cantor, or a Boner.

On Easter weekend 1991, Kennedy was at a get-together at the family's Palm Beach, Florida estate when, restless and maudlin after reminiscing about his brother-in-law, he left for a late-night visit to a local bar, getting his son Patrick and nephew William Kennedy Smith to accompany him. Patrick Kennedy and Smith returned with women they met there, Michelle Cassone and Patricia Bowman. Cassone said that Ted Kennedy subsequently walked in on her and Patrick, dressed only in a nightshirt and with a weird look on his face. Smith and Bowman went out on the beach, where they had sex that he said was consensual and she said was rape. The local police made a delayed investigation; soon Kennedy sources were feeding the press with negative information about Bowman's background and several mainstream newspapers broke a taboo by publishing her name. The case quickly became a media frenzy. While not directly implicated in the case, Kennedy became the frequent butt of jokes on The Tonight Show and other late-night television programs. Time magazine said Kennedy was being perceived as a "Palm Beach boozer, lout and tabloid grotesque" while Newsweek said Kennedy was "the living symbol of the family flaws."

U.S. Capitol Police officers suspected that Kennedy was intoxicated when he staggered out of his Ford Mustang shortly before 3 a.m. after he nearly hit a police car and then crashed into a security barrier. But the six-term congressman -- who said he was trying to reach the Capitol for a vote -- was not given a sobriety test. Instead, Capitol Police commanders ordered that Kennedy be driven to his nearby home, touching off complaints that the son of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) received special treatment.

Don't forget that during the original prohibition, the juvenile alcoholism rate went up, the rate of youth violence and murder went up, American organized crime was created overnight. It was an explosion of lethal violence and poisoning from bad alcohol.

This move by Kennedy family makes me think perhaps they're directly making money off cannabis prohibition today. Why else would he be so eager to send the police to arrest and jail his neighbors in Rhode Island?

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